Hiking in the P.A. Seitts Preserve

P. A. SEITTS PRESERVE at GO JOHN CANYON

Cave Creek

Slate Trail crosses Cave Creek

Lou Menk Trail

Rescued from development by the folks at Desert Foothills Land Trust (DFLT), this 271-acre plot of primo desert and riparian ecosystems makes for  easy and educational day hiking.  Because the trails in this preserve are a work-in-progress, the best way to get to know the area is to participate in the guided hikes offered by DFLT.  With plans to expand the preserve to 500 acres, the existing parcel  already connects Spur Cross Ranch and Cave Creek Regional Park providing both a critical wildlife corridor and contiguous recreational opportunities.  Stewards are both highly trained and passionate preservationists.

I recently hiked with steward Ronnie W. and learned quite a lot about about the geology, plants and human history of the area.  The main attraction is the Lou Menk Trail.  Open only to hikers and dogs on leash, the short lollipop loop trail gives an excellent overview of the preserve.  At the high point of the trail, there's a bench where stewards will stop and describe points of interest.  The Slate Trail passes  through a sandy wash and mesquite bosque and crosses Cave Creek before heading west to  Cave Creek Regional Park.  Also within the preserve is old Cave Creek Cemetery (1893-1935) where the remains of 30 early settlers can now rest undisturbed in perpetuity.

LENGTH: 

Lou Menk Trail: 0.6 roundtrip (hikers only)

Slate Trail:  2.2 one way (0.6 in the preserve)

Legacy Trail: 0.8 in preserve

Cave Creek Cemetery: 0.3

Various access trails & spur trails:

RATING:  easy

ELEVATION: 1,950' – 2,000'

KID FRIENDLY:  yes

DOGS:  must be on leash and handlers must pack out droppings

GETTING THERE:

PUBLIC ACCESS:

From Phoenix, go north on I17 to Carefree Highway (AZ74) exit.  Go east (right) and continue 10 miles to Cave Creek Road.  Turn north (left) and go 0.6 mile to New River Road, turn west (left) and go 0.4 mile to Creek Canyon/Cloud Road.  Turn north (right) and go 0.4 mile to the corner of 52^nd Street and Creek Canyon---the access gate is on the north side of the intersection.

INFO: Desert Foothills Land Trust

http://www.dflt.org/

http://www.dflt.org/p_a_seitts.php

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